The twists and turns of back pain

Physical therapist Karen Hancock’s goal is to relieve back problems so patients won’t need surgery. She designed some of the equipment she uses.
Joyce Roberts photo Back pain doesn’t discriminate. It can strike at any age.

“It doesn’t affect just one population. I have back pain patients from 20 to 75 years old,” physical therapist Karen Hancock says.

Hancock is the owner of Holden Physical Therapy located at 1213 Main St. She is a licensed physical therapist with a master’s degree in the field.

“I think of it as we’re all human, so our backs are all subject to stress. Do you sit and study all day, or do you quilt? Are you always working with your hands in front of you?” she says.

These are part of the litany of questions Hancock uses to diagnose and treat back pain.

Determining what movements cause the pain to increase or decrease is the key to treatment. It is the core teaching of the McKenzie Method of treating back pain, as well as neck and extremity problems. Developed in the 1960s by a New Zealand therapist, the goal is to cure pain without invasive procedures and teach the patient how to prevent recurring pain.

Hancock completed post graduate training including extensive work at a spine clinic with two certified McKenzie practitioners to earn her certification in the method.

She grew up in Holden, and wanted to locate her practice here because there are so few McKenzie practitioners in the region.

The McKenzie method recognizes three basic causes of back and neck pain.

Depending on your usual postures and movements, a spinal disc can move from its optimum position.

“It’s called a derangement,” she says. “The therapist then uses different maneuvers to get the disc back into place.”

Other sources of pain may be postural, where skeletal structures are stressed or dysfunctional – the result of scarring or fibrosis.

The first evaluation takes about an hour. There’s a lot of questions, especially when patient says that pain comes on for no apparent reason.

“I’ll look for patterns. Then we set a goal for treatment,” she says.

Hancock can “prescribe” individual exercises to treat the pain and prevent it from returning or she can perform some physical maneuvers to help the disc move back into place.

Hancock’s services are covered by insurance with a referral from a doctor. But there are no X-rays or pricey MRIs here.

“They won’t tell us anything that we can’t diagnose through questions and trying movements. My method moves people around,” she says.

After the problem is diagnosed, Hancock devises an approach to a cure. Patients may be stretched out on the examining table, or be directed to a square structure made of PVC tubes that Hancock designed and her father built. At varying heights, Hancock has attached colorful bands that are used in stretching therapy. With the stable support, patients are able to maximize spinal stretches.

Her office also includes exercise balls, floor mats, platforms for step exercises and more conventional stretching apparatus.

The McKenzie method has relieved back pain for some even after one treatment.

“The 75-year-old woman had no back pain after three days,” Hancock says.

The 20-year-old young man had suffered back pain for nine months and had been treated at two clinics before coming to Hancock. After a few sessions, his pain stopped and his arms were stronger.

“It wasn’t because we developed muscle. We were able to relieve the pressure on a nerve that made his arms feel weak,” she explains.

As a complement to Hancock’s approach to back pain relief, she is a certified Pilates instructor. Pilates is a conditioning system that helps build flexibility while emphasizing spinal and pelvic alignment. She offers classes periodically for small groups or patients can book one on one sessions with her.

To become a certified Pilates instructor requires 18 months of training – observing, teaching, performing a certain number of class hours and being tested on all aspects of the program.

“It is an unusual credential to have. It’s different than just taking a class at a gym,” she says.

Hancock periodically offers small classes at Holden Physical Therapy or she can be booked for one on one sessions.

Hancock also fashions orthotics for footwear, so she can tend to your foot pain, too. Additionally, she sells small lumbar pillows that can be used at home, office or in the car, to promote good back health and prevent pain.